evolve

verb

i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv,
ē-,
 also  -ˈväv,
 or  -ˈvȯv
evolved; evolving

transitive verb

1
: emit
2
a
b
: to produce by natural evolutionary processes
c
: develop, work out
evolve social, political, and literary philosophiesL. W. Doob

intransitive verb

: to undergo evolutionary change
evolvable
i-ˈväl-və-bəl How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯl-
ē-
 also  -ˈvä-və-
 or  -ˈvȯ-və-
adjective
evolvement
i-ˈvälv-mənt How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv-
ē-
 also  -ˈväv-
 or  -ˈvȯv-
noun

Examples of evolve in a Sentence

Her company has evolved from a hobby into a thriving business. Some flowers have evolved remarkable means of insect pollination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The industry needs to evolve and understand how audience behavior is changing and how a new generation of creators and labels are redefining business models, and the optics of a fest focused on the creator economy are great. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 Even if there’s some truth to the idea (surveys from Gallup and Pew have shown that users are more likely to consume content than post it themselves), Instagram posts are inevitably part of larger conversations that evolve moment to moment. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025 This transition reflects our commitment to evolving with those changes and ensuring UNC Charlotte remains competitive and sustainable. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025 As one half of the International Gemini Observatory, the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii provides astronomers with a window into the distant universe, from growing stars to evolving galaxies. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evolve

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin ēvolvere "to roll out or away, unwind, unroll, narrate (a series of events)," from ē-, variant of ex- ex- entry 1 before voiced consonants + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evolve was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolve. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

evolve

verb
i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv
evolved; evolving
1
: to develop or work out from something else
evolved a new plan
evolved a safer design from the old one
2
: to produce by a process of evolution
3
: to change by a process of evolution
evolvable adjective

Medical Definition

evolve

verb
evolved; evolving

transitive verb

: to produce by natural evolutionary processes

intransitive verb

: to develop by or as if by evolution : undergo evolutionary change
an evolving theory of mental functioningS. A. Green

More from Merriam-Webster on evolve

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